Sparks Electrical News February 2017

SPARKS

ELECTRICAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 2017

CONTRACTORS’

CORNER

you have many years of experience working on electrical in-

stallations in hazardous areas? Have you previously considered the

criteria for registration as set out by the Department of Labour but

you don’t have an N6 Certificate? Then Option 4 of the Recogni-

tion of Prior Learning (RPL) process is a possible route that you

could follow in order to become registered as a Master Installation

Electrician (MIE).

The RPL is a process where a person who does not have a

‘formal certificate’ is assessed in order to establish whether they

have the relevant skills, knowledge and practical abilities required

for a particular occupation. If they are found to be competent they

will receive the formal recognition. However, if the RPL assessment

identifies gaps in the applicant’s knowledge, skills or experience,

they will be advised to attend programmes, courses or interventions

that would close those gaps. Once the applicant has ‘closed the

gaps’ they can apply for another assessment.

RPL in not a new activity – we’ve been doing it for many years

and, in the past, experienced persons were allowed to write a trade

test under section 28 of the Manpower Training Act when this Act

was in force.

Registration criteria

Before we review the criteria for Option 4, it must be emphasised

that we have not ‘lost’ Options 1, 2 and 3 as previously found in the

registration criteria. Option 4 has been added to the master instal-

lation registration criteria.

This option was put forward by The South African Flameproof

Association to the Department of Labour as a result of the petro-

chemical industry experiencing a decline in the available number

of Master Installation Electricians (MIE) over the past number of

years, particularly after the introduction of the Minimum Theoretical

Qualification requirement of the National N6 Certificate.

Companies with hazardous areas and contractors working for

these companies are required by legislation to appoint MIEs to

ensure a safe operating environment. The OHS Act requires, under

Electrical Installation Regulations Section 5.4 that

“a registered

person shall exercise general control over all electrical installation

work being carried out, and no person may allow such work

without such control”.

The OHS Act also requires under Electrical

Installation Regulations Section 6.4 (b) that all

contractors must have a full time registered

person employed in hazardous areas and that

this person must be an MIE.

According to The South African Flameproof

Association, the hazardous areas industry

makes use of contractors to assist with new

installations and to also do maintenance work

in hazardous locations. The resource scarcity

continues to present a serious threat to safety

of personnel and is crippling the Ex industry.

For this reason, The South African Flameproof

Association approached the Department of

Labour and, after many months and numerous

discussions, Option 4 was developed.

Below is an extract from the Department of

Labour brochure (OHS 3/1/5/7/9 Revised March

2014):

Option 4

3.4 A candidate must:

3.4.1 Practical Qualification

a. Be registered as an Installation Electrician for

two years.

b. Submit proof of five year’s practical experience

in hazardous locations.

c. Submit documentary proof of successful

completed unit standards on inspection, testing

and certification of specialised electrical

installations in hazardous locations as

prescribed by the EWSETA.

d. Submit documentary proof of the RPL

competence declaration from the South African

Flameproof Association (SAFA) MIE Group.

3.4.2 Minimum theoretical qualification

National N3 Certificate with the following compul-

sory subjects: Mathematics; engineering science

or industrial electronics; electrical trade theory or

electro-technology.

Grade 12 (Standard 10) certificate; mathematics;

science; technica – electrical or equivalent subject

that may include an N3 subject.

Note 1: The candidate must pass each subject

with a minimum of 40%.

Note 2: These minimum theoretical subjects could

be a combination of Grade 12 and N3 subjects.

3.3.4 Knowledge of statutory requirements

Proof of knowledge on the legislation and relevant

health and safety standards applicable to elec-

trical installations by having passed the subject

‘Specialised Codes’ as administered by the De-

partment of Higher Education and Training.

As previously indicated, Option 4 is an additional

option for persons with five years and more expe-

rience in hazardous locations.

Regarding Section 3.4.1 (d) which requires

that candidates submit documentary proof

of the RPL competence declaration from the

South African Flameproof Association (SAFA)

MIE Group, candidates would need to visit the

South African Flameproof Association website

www.flp.co.za

and download the application

form. The process will require you to provide

proof of the practical experience as well as

attend an interview with the South African

Flameproof Association MIE Group.

It must be noted that Option 4 is not a de-

grading of the other criteria; it will be used by

applicants who have the knowledge, skills

and years of experience and who require

their experience to be recognised though a

Recognition of Prior Learning process.

THE ‘RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING’

PROCESS FOR MASTER INSTALLATION ELECTRICIANS

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT BY NICK DU PLESSIS